Resting in our Lord’s arms is a beautiful way of expressing the feeling of being comforted and protected by God’s love and His Presence. It is a reminder that we are never alone, and that we can always turn to our Lord for strength and support, especially during difficult times.
When we rest in God’s hands, we are surrendering our worries and fears to Him, trusting that He will take care of us and guide us through whatever challenges we may face each day. We are acknowledging that Gods love is greater than any obstacle or hardship, and that He has the power to heal us and bring us peace.
Resting in our Lord’s arms can be achieved through prayer, meditation, and simply being present in the moment. It is a reminder to slow down and listen to the voice of God, to trust in His plan, and to be grateful for His blessings.
Ultimately, resting in Christ’s arms, that is – having faith in our Lord’s promises – is a powerful way to deepen our faith and experience the peace and joy that comes from being in a loving relationship with our Lord.
Resting in our Lord’s arms is also about finding rest and renewal for our souls. In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it is all too easy to become overwhelmed and exhausted, but when we turn to God, we can find true rest and renewed strength to continue.
When we put our trust in Jesus Christ, we can also find healing for our brokenness. We all carry various wounds and pain from our past, but God’s love has the power to bring healing and wholeness to our lives. By surrendering ourselves to God’s care, we can experience His grace and forgiveness, and find the courage to let go of the things that hold us back.
An Ongoing Practice
Resting in our Lord’s arms is not just a one-time experience, but a continual practice of surrendering ourselves to God and trusting in His love and goodness. It’s about cultivating a relationship with God that brings us peace, joy, and a sense of purpose and direction in life.
In the Bible, Jesus often speaks about the importance of rest and finding peace in Him. He says in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all you that labour, and are burdened, and I will refresh you. Take up my yoke upon you, and learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart: and you shall find rest to your souls. For my yoke is sweet and my burden light.”
Resting in our Lord’s arms is not only a beautiful metaphor upon which to meditate, but a powerful reality for those who put their trust in God. It is an invitation to experience the love and care of our Creator, and to find true rest and renewal for our souls.
Another important aspect of this special devotion is the very real sense of security and protection that comes from being in His care. The Psalmist aptly wrote: “He that dwelleth in the aid of the most High, shall abide under the protection of the God of Jacob. He shall say to the Lord: Thou art my protector, and my refuge: my God, in him will I trust.” (Psalm 90:1-2; other versions: 91:1-2)
When we rest in our Lord’s arms, we can find refuge from the storms of life and the fears that can overwhelm us. We can trust in the divine protection and guidance promised to us by Christ, knowing that He is always with us, even in the darkest of times.
God’s Will
Putting our trust in the arms of Jesus is also about surrendering our will to God’s Will. It is about recognising that we are not in control of everything, but that God has a plan and a purpose for our lives. When we trust in God’s plan, we can find peace and contentment, even when things do not go according to our own plans.
This special devotion is also about experiencing the love and grace of God in a tangible way. It is about knowing that we are deeply loved and accepted by our Creator, and that nothing can separate us from His love. As it says in Romans 8:38-39, “For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor might, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Resting in His arms is a powerful and meaningful way to experience God’s love, peace, protection, and guidance in our lives. It is about surrendering ourselves to God’s care, trusting in His plan, and finding rest and renewal for our souls.
Thankfulness in Difficult Times
Meditating on resting upon Christ can help us cultivate a spirit of gratitude and thankfulness in our lives. When we focus on God’s love and faithfulness, we cannot help but be grateful for all the blessings that He has given us, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.
St. Paul reminds us that we should “be nothing solicitous; but in every thing, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
Putting our trust in Christ helps bring our worries and concerns to Him, trusting that He will provide for our needs and give us the peace that we long for. And as we do so, we can also give thanks for all that He has done for us, and for the ways that He continues to work in our lives.
A Sense of Belonging
Putting our complete trust in Jesus ultimately helps us find our true home in God’s Presence. As it says in Psalm 22:6, “thy mercy will follow me all the days of my life. And that I may dwell in the house of the Lord unto length of days.” (23:6 in other versions)
Resting in Christ’s arms means experiencing a deep sense of belonging and connection with God, knowing that we are His beloved children, and that nothing can separate us from His love. And as we rest in His care, we can find the strength, courage, and hope that we need to live out our lives with joy and purpose.
Consolation in Christ’s Arms
When we rest in Christ, we are able to find comfort and solace in times of grief and loss. When we face difficult circumstances like the death of a loved one or the loss of a job or relationship, it can be easy to feel alone and overwhelmed. But when we turn to God, we can find a source of comfort and strength that sustains us through the toughest of times.
In 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, it says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort. Who comforteth us in all our tribulation; that we also may be able to comfort them who are in all distress, by the exhortation wherewith we also are exhorted by God.”
When we rest in the Lord’s arms, we can experience the compassion and comfort of God in a deep and profound way. We can trust that He is with us in our pain, and that He will help us to heal and move forward in our lives.
God Prepares Us for a Mission
Even through losses in our lives, we are given the strength to live out our lives with a sense of purpose and mission – our Lord assures us that we are not left alone. When we know that we are loved and valued by God, we can live with confidence and courage, knowing that we have a unique role to play in the world. We can use our gifts and talents to serve others, and to make a positive difference in the world around us.
In Ephesians 2:10, it says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus in good works, which God hath prepared that we should walk in them.”
When we rest in our Lord’s arms, we can discover the good works that God has prepared for us to do, and we can live out our lives with purpose and passion, knowing that we are part of God’s larger plan for the world.
Our Purpose in the Community
If we are trusting Jesus in all things, then we will develop a sense of humility and surrender in our lives. When we recognise our own limitations and weaknesses, we can turn to God for strength and guidance, trusting that He will lead us on the right path.
St. James the Just says, “Be humbled in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you.” (Epistle of St. James 4:10)
When we rest in God’s Will, we surrender our own agendas and desires, and seek to align ourselves with our Lord wants for us. This can be a challenging and sometimes painful process, as we let go of our own desires and plans and seek to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading. As we do so, we can experience a greater sense of freedom and joy, knowing that we are living out our true purpose and calling.
Finally, resting in our Lord’s arms is about building a community of faith and support around us. When we gather with other believers, we can find encouragement, accountability, and support as we seek to follow God’s will for our lives. We find our place and purpose in the community of fellow Catholics.
In Hebrews 10:24-25, it says, “And let us consider one another, to provoke unto charity and to good works: Not forsaking our assembly, as some are accustomed; but comforting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching.”
May God bless you +
Rev. Fr. Charles